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Chicken Onigiri

Savory Chicken Onigiri: Easy Japanese Snack Delight

Delight in the flavors of Chicken Onigiri, a savory Japanese snack perfect for lunch or a quick meal.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 onigiri
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Rice
  • 4 cups Sushi Rice Short-grain rice, sticky
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt Enhances flavor
  • 2 tablespoons Furikake Optional seasoning
For the Chicken Filling
  • 0.5 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Best with drumsticks
  • 2 teaspoons Soy Sauce Use gluten-free for gluten-free option
  • 1 tablespoon Sake Can substitute with water
  • 0.25 teaspoon Baking Soda Tenderizes chicken
  • 1 teaspoon Cornstarch Achieves crispy texture
  • 1 tablespoon Mirin Sweet cooking rice wine
  • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar Packed for sweetness
  • 1 tablespoon Oil Neutral flavor for cooking
  • 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic Adds aromatic flavor
For Wrapping
  • 1 sheet Nori Cut into rectangles

Equipment

  • Rice Cooker
  • Non-stick pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

Rice Preparation
  1. Cook sushi rice using a rice cooker according to manufacturer's instructions, combining 4 cups of rice with the appropriate amount of water. Let sit for 10 minutes to cool before mixing in salt and furikake.
Marinate Chicken
  1. Dice the chicken into small pieces and combine with soy sauce, sake, baking soda, and cornstarch in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare Sauce
  1. Whisk together soy sauce, mirin, and brown sugar to create the teriyaki sauce. Set aside.
Cook Chicken
  1. Heat oil in a pan, add marinated chicken, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fully cooked. Add garlic, cooking for an additional 30 seconds, then remove from heat.
Sauce Application
  1. Return chicken to the pan and pour in the teriyaki sauce, stirring to coat and cooking until sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
Shape Onigiri
  1. Wet hands and scoop ⅓ cup of rice, forming a well. Place chicken filling in the well, add another ⅓ cup of rice on top, shape into a triangle, and wrap with nori.
Serve and Enjoy
  1. Serve the shaped onigiri warm or at room temperature with pickled vegetables or edamame.

Nutrition

Serving: 1onigiriCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 15gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Enjoy your Chicken Onigiri fresh for the best taste. They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 day or frozen for 2 months.

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